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If you hate your computer
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If computers make you feel like doing the above then you have come to the right place. We will teach you how to make the most of your computer and you will likely spend more time with it than with the rest of your family. So don't despair, don't break it, tame it.
Using a search engine- in plain English

Standard Grade Computing

A - Introduction
This new course began for S3 in June 2004. It has been updated by SQA to include the latest computing topics.

Standard Grade Computing Studies has proved a very popular choice, with a very high degree of success being achieved in Standard Grade exams. Due to an increasingly automated and computer-assisted society it is felt that this course should be useful to the majority of pupils. A pass at Credit Level in Standard Grade automatically leads to certification of the core skill "Using I.T." at Intermediate 2 level, which is an essential qualification in the Higher Still Programme.

A Standard Grade Credit Level pass counts for the following points for university entrance under UCAS:

Band 1 pass at Standard Grade - 38 points
Band 2 pass at Standard Grade - 28 points

Aim: the course in Computing Studies is designed to develop within each pupil:
(i) an awareness of the use of computers
(ii) an interest in, and confident attitude towards using computer technology in the future.

B - Course Outline
The main areas are:

Computer Applications - 70 hours (or less)

  • General Purpose Packages - 40 hours (or less) - four main topics: word processing (MS Word), spreadsheet (MS Excel), database ( MS Access), graphics (XaraX), plus one case study from the following: desktop publishing (MS Publisher); presentation and multimedia (Powerpoint); web page creation using HTML and NoteTab - a text editor.
  • Communications - 10 hours - possible case studies: email, the Internet and the school network
  • Commercial Data Processing - 10 hours - possible case studies: banking, stock control, airline reservations, stock exchange and accounting applications
  • Industrial and Commercial Applications - possible case studies: robotics, CAD/CAM, industrial process control and simulations.

Computer Systems (20 hours)

  • Hardware - processor structure; input, output and storage devices for dedicated and general purpose systems
  • Low level machine - binary and the way it is used to represent numbers, text, graphics and sound
  • Systems software - high-level languages and translators
  • Operating system software components and purposes

Computer Software Development - 35 hours (or more)

  • Problem-solving in the analysis, design, implementation, testing, documentation and evaluation of software, including writing programs in Visual Basic on Microsoft Windows XP.

Coursework
From the beginning of S3, pupils complete coursework built into the areas mentioned above, including:

  • In June of S3 - a first applications coursework using a drawing program.
  • In the main S3 year - spreadsheet, and a database and a project issued by SQA (20 hours)
  • In S4 - two pieces of simple Visual Basic software development coursework

Computing integrates practical experiences, problem- solving, theoretical study and effective communication. The coursework is largely practical and will call upon, improve and test each pupil's creativity and decision-making skills within a structured framework.

C - Methods
There will be roughly a 40% - 60% split between theoretical work and practical work. Pupils are expected to work largely on their own, demonstration and help being given when appropriate.

Study Support will be available after school hours in January -February of S4.

D - Homework
Homework, including programming, reading, answering questions, other exercises and planning/preparation for the future, will be given on a weekly basis. Two books are issued to each pupil, one for reading in depth during the course, and the other for use in revision. 

E - Assessment
The elements under which the subject will be assessed are:

Practical Abilities (40%)
Assessment consists of one project and four pieces of coursework, two of which are on software development, and two on applications. These are completed between the beginning of S3 and the middle of S4 and are assessed internally with external moderation by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Knowledge and Understanding (20%) (external - written papers)

Problem Solving (40%) (external - written papers)

Thorough revision notes for exams will always be issued well in advance and practice in tackling questions given both in class and for homework.

Intermediate 2 Computing

This course gives significant progression from General Level Standard Grade, and progression even from Credit Band 2.

The entry requirements are as follows:

Grade3-4 in Standard Grade Computing
OR
Grade 1-2 in Standard Grade Administration
OR
Seven Standard Grade passes at Credit Level (excluding Computing)

If tackled successfully, it can lead to Higher in S6.
It gives core skills certification in IT.
It counts for the following points for university entrance under UCAS: 

A pass at Int2 - 42 points
B pass at Int2 - 35 points
C pass at Int2 - 28 points

Intermediate 2 Computing Course Details :

The course gives 3 unit credits + 1 course assessment credit.

Component Units:

  • Computer Systems
  • Software Development
  • Project

Methods
The course involves a mixture of theoretical and practical methods, including simple programming and a project.

Study Support will be available after school hours.

Homework
Regular homework will be issued in the form of reading, learning notes, answering questions, revision and research for the project.

This course gives significant progression from General Level Standard Grade, and progression even from Credit Band 2.The entry requirements are as follows: The course gives 3 unit credits + 1 course assessment credit. The course involves a mixture of theoretical and practical methods, including simple programming and a project.

Higher Computing

The entry requirements for Higher are as follows :

 


  • Credit Level Computing, including a Grade 1 or 2 in both the Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving elements.
    Grade 1s in both these elements are recommended.
  • or Grade A pass at Intermediate 2 Computing.
  • and a good record of handing in coursework at Credit Level or Intermediate 2 on time and to a good standard at the first attempt.
  • A good academic record in other subjects- we can teach you the course if you have the study skills.

 

Higher Computing counts for the following points for university entrance under UCAS: 

A pass at Higher - 72 points
B pass at Higher - 60 points
C pass at Higher - 48 points

The course gives 3 unit credits + 1 course assessment credit.

Component Units in order of teaching:

  • Computer Systems (core unit)
  • Software Development (core unit)
  • Artificial Intelligence ("optional" unit - i.e. chosen by the teacher!)

Methods

The course involves a mixture of theoretical and practical methods, including further studies in programming, research into modern computing equipment and use of the Internet.

 

Homework

Regular homework will be issued in the form of reading, learning notes, answering questions, designing computer programs and revision. Although this homework will be checked up on, pupils are expected to complete it to a high standard without nagging by the teacher, and to be responsible for their own learning and self-assessment, e.g. read with understanding; know whether you understand and can remember something or not.

Homework is posted on the school Virtual learning Environment (Moodle) see top ment for VLE link. The site also has a host of online revision materials and exercises.

Core Skills

The Higher Computing course gives automatic certification in the Core Skills of Problem Solving and IT at Higher level.

Assessment

There are two components with weightings as follows:
coursework  30%
examination 70%
The coursework consists of two items, one each from Outcome 4 of the first two units studied. The first piece of coursework involves writing a specification for a computer system. The second piece involves a networking investigation (such as creating a small website).

The examination has :

  • a compulsory section covering the core units - Systems and Software Development. In this section there is a series of compulsory questions, some of which are simple knowledge and understanding questions, and some longer, more demanding problem-solving questions.
  • an optional section covering the optional unit studied - in this case Computer Networking. There is some choice of questions in this section.
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